Atlanta Braves Add Free Agent Outfielder

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a slew of talented outfielders, so it seemed inevitable that they would be non-tendering Jordan Luplow this offseason, who had another down year in the desert. The Atlanta Braves have stepped in to sign the right-handed hitter. 

Jordan Luplow has signed a one-year, $1.4M deal with the Braves pic.twitter.com/Dq9CqSGs8Y

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) December 19, 2022

Luplow has signed a $1.4M deal with the Braves, after struggling to hit .200 for the 4th time in his six-year major league career. He finished the season at .176 with 11 home runs and a .634 OPS. His lifetime average is .213. The key for Luplow is keeping him away from RHPs.

He does crush lefties, however, with 31 dingers in just 430 at-bats, with a .505 slugging percentage. 

New @Braves outfield addition ✔️

Jordan Luplow owns a career .841 OPS against left-handers — and that includes 31 home runs in 430 at-bats. pic.twitter.com/aZjUQz4Woa

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) December 19, 2022

His OPS against southpaws is .841. 

He also brings a solid glove to the outfield corners. 

The Braves love Luplow's defense. His arm strength is in the 96th percentile. His ability to play both corners would allow him to occasionally give Acuña a break in RF. But the plan is for Luplow to come to camp to fight for the LF job with Rosario. Chance the two could platoon.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 19, 2022

As noted by Braves beat writer Mark Bowman, Luplow could platoon with Eddie Rosario in left, and even spell Ronald Acuna occasionally in right field.  

It appears the signing also definitively spells the end to Adam Duvall's tenure in Atlanta. He's a free agent after hitting .213 this past season and dealing with a wrist injury that required surgery. 

Photo: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports